Saturday, December 19, 2015

Satsang: by Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian


         The word “SATSANG” is a combination of two Sanskrit words, namely: 

Sat’ meaning ‘Real’, ‘Existence’ or ‘Good’ and ‘Sang(a)’ meaning ‘Union’ or ‘Contact’.  

So, it means the ‘union or contact with Reality’ or ‘association with good people or Saints’ etc.  Any assembly of people where chanting or recitation of scriptures or hymns in praise of various deities is done has come to be called Satsang.

         The Masters of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), Rev. Lalaji Maharaj, Rev. Babuji Maharaj, Rev. Chariji Maharaj and Shri. Kamlesh D. Patel have stressed that ‘Satsang’ means the ‘eternal connection or union with the Ultimate Reality’.  Although the group meditation where hundreds or thousands of abhyasis of SRCM assemble together in one place in the presence of the Master or the Preceptors / Prefects permitted by him is known as Satsang, the Masters of Sahaj Marg have always said that Satsang is not an affair lasting for one hour or few hours in a day.  It is a continuous process.
 
         Is there any reference to such Satsang in ancient scriptures like Vedas?  I do not think so.  There are many occasions where we find saints or spiritual aspirants, Gurus etc. join together where discourses are given, assemblies being held. But the Satsang we experience in Sahaj Marg is quite revolutionary, far higher than all those available in literature.  One must read the last hymn of Rigveda called Aikamatya Sukta to have an idea of how we should conduct ourselves in Satsang.

         The credit for an organised way of conducting Satsang goes to Shri Ramachandraji (1873-1931) of Fategarh, affectionately known as Lalaji Saheb.  It was He who invited and included those having spiritual thirst to join him. He showered the divine energy, ‘Transmission  which is called Pranahuti, on all of them, without distinction.  He also transmitted to many during nights even without the knowledge of the aspirants, which the lineage of Gurus in Sahaj Marg continued.

         In the spiritual gatherings / Bhandaras or during Satsang, the divine energy is transmitted either by the Master or by the Preceptors / Prefects permitted by him.  Such a phenomenon was unknown in earlier days.  Also the equality given to people without the barriers of colour, caste, creed, religion, nationality, sex etc. is unique in Sahaj Marg.  It is like the Sun or Moon shedding its lustre on all without any discrimination whatsoever.

         We do not find much role given for women in spirituality in ancient literature, though occasionally we find reference to some female saints like Gargi and exalted women like Maitreyi, Katyayani, Anasuya and a few others, but in Sahaj Marg, under the banner of SRCM, we have many women who are not only abhyasis but also Preceptors who conduct Satsangs where hundreds of men and women meditate. 

         It is due to the tireless work of Shri Ram Chandraji (1899-1983) of Shahjahanpur, affectionately known as Babuji, the ablest disciple and successor of Rev. Lalaji Saheb that women were also made Preceptors and were permitted to conduct Satsangs.

         When many spiritual aspirants join together and meditate, it has its own positive effect in the environment. This can be clearly felt by anyone visiting such places where Satsangs are held.  Also this promotes the feeling of brotherhood, sadly missing in today’s social life.

         There is also no room for higher and lower, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, white and black etc. in these Satsangs.  All are equal before God, so too before the Masters of Sahaj Marg.

         So, apart from spiritual purpose, we can see the social revolution brought by SRCM through Satsangs.

         Rev. Parthasarathi Rajagopalachariji Maharaj (1927-2014), popularly known as Chariji, worked tirelessly and established Satsangs in thousands of places in more than hundred countries.  He said once, “In Satsang, the Master is there, you are there, the transmission is there and yet the most important thing is ‘link with God / Master’ and if it is not there, then you will not get full benefit”.

         Satsang is not a place where we assemble to meet each other, exchange ideas, gossip or even to listen to the discourses.  It is to train one to go deeper into oneself into the Self, says Shri Kamesh D Patel, the President of SRCM.  He goes to the extent of telling that even if you sit at home and link yourself with Him, it is Satsang. This is in deed a great boon for many - housewives, elderly people, physically challenged and others. It is also worthwhile to know that Kamlesh bhai has kindly declared that those who have completed 15 years of age can commence their spiritual practice (sadhana) under SRCM. This will help students to derive the benefit directly so that during the course of their examinations, they can remain at home at meditate and continue their study.


     Such is the uniqueness of Satsang in Sahaj Marg.

39 comments:

  1. Insightfully detailed explanation of satsangh by this blogger as practiced in Sahaj Marg taught by Shri Ram Chandra Mission. When Atman makes a call to Param-atman for its "Sangh" or Company, it is satsangh.

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  2. It is a boon, as said, to sit at home and link yourself with Him, it is Satsang. Excellent. It opens up a wide range of possibility, enables everyone to be in Satsang without travels and to go inside deep. Thanks for the nice article.

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  3. Indeed Simple and revolutionary. Feeling is different to each person based on his inner link even though thousands sit together at the same time.

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  4. TRULY UNIQUE AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO THE YOUTH TO REGULATE THEIR MINDS THROUGH EXPERIENCE BASED SAHAJMARG MEDITATION , AND EXCEL IN EVERYTHING THEY DO, EXCEL IN STUDIES, EXCEL IN THE EXTERNAL BEHAVIOUR , CONDUCT AND BECOME EXCELLENT STUDENTS. INTERESTED YOUH CAN VISIT WWW.heartfulness.org

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  5. Very beautiful explanation of satsang and importance and uniqueness of pranahuti

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  6. Truly Satsangh is not ONLY a way to connect deeply with one's own higher Self but connecting with all that is around him/her. Thank you Brother for placing all the ideas of Satsangh of SRCM in one blog.

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  7. Dr.Kannan's article on Satsangh is good. It has brought out the needful explanation in a easy to understand manner.

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  8. Very useful. The value of satsangh.

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  9. Very useful. The value of satsangh.

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  10. Full of insights and will help us in many ways...Thanks Brother. ..

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  11. Thank you for the simplicity and depth of this article about Satsang. It traces the roots and the significance of satsang from the time of Lalaji Saheb. My heart leaps at the reading of this article. What a beautiful means of evolution the Masters of Sahaj Marg have given to us!

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  12. Aikamathya sooktham
    Aikamathya sooktham
    (Prayer of unification)

    Translated by
    Sri.Anantanarayanan Vaidyanathan

    (The Sooktham in Sanskrit with english meaning given here is given in
    http://kanfusion.blogspot.com/2010/01/aikamatya-sooktham.html )
    aum samsamidduvase vrishannagne visvaannarya aa
    ilaspade samiddhyase sa no vasoonnyaabhara
    samgachchhadhwam samvadadhwam sam vo manaamsi jaanataam
    deva bhaagam yathapuurve samjaanaanaa upaasathe
    samano manthrassamitiH samaanee
    samaanam manaH sahachitthameshaam
    samaanam mantramabhimantraye vaH
    samaanena vaa havishaa juhomi
    samaanii va aakuutissamaano hridayaani vaH
    samaanamastu vo mano yatha vaH susahaasati

    English meaning

    YOU, mighty Agni, gather up all that is precious for your friend.
    Bring us all treasures as you art enkindled in libation's place
    Assemble, speak together: let your minds be all of one accord,
    As ancient Gods, unanimous sit down to their appointed share.
    The place is common, common the assembly,
    common the mind, so be their thought united.
    A common purpose do I lay before you,
    and worship with your general oblation.
    One and the same be your resolve,
    and be your minds of one accord.
    United be the thoughts of all that all may happily agree.

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  13. After reading this article, the feeling has come that at SS the identity of I or Me or We or Us is fading and falls apart. Sat alone stays in Sangam. Starts with Fushion and evolve to Merge into Sat. Thanks for the engrossing article. S R Krishnan, Vietnam

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  14. Good article, very well explained about Pranahuti and all Masters. Highlighting sisters equal participation.

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  15. A very good article explaining Sahaj Marg way of SatSangh.

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  16. A well-written article on "SATSANGH". Only those who have practised the beautiful system of "SAHAJ-MARG" sincerely and seriously can vouchsafe the value and strength of this unique Yogic system to transform a man from an animal man to a perfect human being. It is a practical and scientific system. The importance and utility of "CLEANING" to cleanse the mind of all unwanted thoughts and totally purify the mind can be personally experienced by the practitioners. The necessity of attending as many Satsanghs as possible to elevate the human mind to the loftiest levels is understood by all the dedicated abhyasis of this system. Our sincere prayer to our Supreme Master is that may all the suffering members of the world be drawn to this wonderful spiritual system and derive immeasurable spiritual benefits. NR.VENKATESWARAN

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  17. Beautiful and simple article highlighting the uniqueness of Sahaj Marg Meditation and the generosity of the Masters.

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  18. Uniqueness of Sahaj Marg Meditation is this that regular abhyasis start preparing for Sunday Satsangh even from Friday. Pl be regular and bathe in the bliss of Satsangh every Sunday.

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  19. At a time when everyone - the leader, the government and the society - is trying to shape the thinking of people through various media in the name of collective or universal change, a practice of heartfulness meditation or sahaj marg raj yoga meditation to experience one's own self and arrive at one's own understanding through feeling is necessary to bring about peace to humanity. An individual peace alone can lead to real universal peace. Satsang is a means to this end. Ramu Mahanthi, Hyderabad

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  20. Great and clear explanation. Thank you

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  21. This kind of articles should be read out NECESSARILY as it helps to know ( at least ) like me who never go through VEDAS as a comparative study how Sahaj Masters bring for practical life to suit in Modern times. Heartfull wishes.

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  22. This kind of articles should be read out NECESSARILY as it helps to know ( at least ) like me who never go through VEDAS as a comparative study how Sahaj Masters bring for practical life to suit in Modern times. Heartfull wishes.

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  23. GREAT EXPLANATION THANK YOU

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  24. Dear brother, thank you; I have translated your post into French. Let me know if I can put it as an invited post in my blog: speedy-mama.wix.com/meditation for the benefit of french people.
    Warm regards
    Jacqueline Camisa

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. You are welcome to do so. Thank you.
      Kannan

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    2. Thank you. You are welcome to do so. Thank you.
      Kannan

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  25. SRCM Masters,has created history,unknown to our forefathers,unheard,stated in vedic & upanishidic TIMES.A great asset to comming genarations.such articles are in need.thank you.

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  26. Thank you so much Dear Brother for this comment beautiful explanation I wait for Jacqueline CAMISA s translation for french abhyasis

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  27. Thank you brother. It is true satsang is not for an hour or few timesinaday but it mustbe a constant process

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  28. Nice and simple way to convey. Many thanks.

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  29. Thank you for such a wonderful compilation of all aspects of Sahaj Marg Satsang - yet another jewel of unparalleled Sahaj Marg system.

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  30. In Sahaj Marg system of practice only the soul is counted regardless of the abhyasi's other attributes such as gender , caste, social class etc. Besides , it is also system where women are offered wonderful opportunity to serve as prefects/ preceptors in par with the male counterparts . In our satsanghs we can truly experience the divine love and universal brotherhood so rare to find elsewhere..

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  31. Very Good article. Explanation is very lucid for every ones understanding...

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  32. Replies
    1. The meaning of satsang understood by a lay man is discourses given by intellectual people where not all but few things are understood .The actual purpose of existence is not understood.The above article explains the meaning , its utility and feasibility to connect ourselves to the source.

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  33. thank you for this share - It's a very quality

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